The Los Angeles Lakers are winning games despite having the worst outside shooting in the league.
After a win over the Utah Jazz to improve to 12-4, LeBron James and head coach J.J. Redick made one thing clear: They are not losing sleep over the three-point drought.
James didn't mince words when talking to reporters after the game.
“This isn't going to last long,” James said in the locker room. “We're not worried. We have too many good shooters. This can't last long.”
LeBron on Lakers' shooting woes:
“This won't last long. We're not worried. We have too many good shooters, but this won't last long.” pic.twitter.com/roenjWBcHn
– Oh no he didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) November 24, 2025
That confidence comes as the Lakers rank 26th in three-point attempts and 26th in three-point field goal percentage this season, shooting just 33.3 percent.
Even with the spacing issues, Los Angeles has jumped to one of the best records in the Western Conference and is tied with Denver for second in the standings.
Redick echoed James' stance, telling the media he sees a bigger picture beyond scoring.
“I told the guys this after the game. We're really one of the worst shooting teams in the NBA right now. I don't think that's who we are. We have to shoot, we have to shoot with confidence, and to me, if we defend with this level of physicality and pass the ball to each other. Look, we had 23 assists and if we shot tonight, we could easily have 30-plus assists. We have to shoot the ball better, but we have to believe in each other and believe in ourselves to hit the target.”
JJ Redick: “I told the guys after the game: We really are one of the worst shooting teams in the NBA right now. I don't think we are. We have to shoot, and we have to shoot with confidence.” pic.twitter.com/wsiJY4fJcm
– Oh no he didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) November 24, 2025
Personally, the numbers back up Redick's case. Luka Doncic is shooting a career-low 31.1% from three. Austin Reeves is in the same slump, and Marcus Smart is shooting 24 percent despite taking the third-most shots on the roster. Hachimura is the only rotation player who shoots over 35% from distance.
However, the team's performance from the mid-range and paint was interesting.
The Lakers have dominated in the paint and mid-range this season:
🔸First in hit rate
🔸2P first in hit rate
🔸No. 1 in 0-3 feet shooting percentage
🔸No. 1 in shooting percentage from 3-10 feet
🔸First 10-16 feet hit rate %
🔸Second place in Free Trade Zone
🔸Third fewest fouls per game pic.twitter.com/oa9Tzfn6zF— Basketball Forever (@bballforever_) November 24, 2025
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